• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2022

Background: Chemical emissions in the environment have rapidly increased with the accelerated industrialization taking place in recent decades. Residents of industrial complexes are concerned about the health risks posed by chemical exposure. Objectives: This study was performed to suggest modeling methods that take into account multimedia and multi-pathways in human exposure and risk assessment. Methods: The concentration of benzene emitted at industrial complexes in Daesan, South Korea and the exposure of local residents was estimated using the Caltox model. The amount of human exposure based on inhalation rate was stochastically predicted for various activity stages such as resting, normal walking, and fast walking. Results: The coefficient of determination (R²) for the CalTOX model efficiency was 0.9676 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 0.0035, indicating good agreement between predictions and measurements. However, the efficiency index (EI) appeared to be a negative value at -1094.4997. This can be explained as the atmospheric concentration being calculated only from the emissions from industrial facilities in the study area. In the human exposure assessment, the higher the inhalation rate percentile value, the higher the inhalation rate and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) at each activity step. Conclusions: Prediction using the Caltox model might be appropriate for comparing with actual measurements. The LADD of females was higher ratio with an increase in inhalation rate than those of males. This finding would imply that females may be more susceptible to benzene as their inhalation rate increases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.156-165
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of a gasoline vapor recovery system on personal exposure levels of gasoline vapor constituents including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene(BTEX), and methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE) among gas station workers in a metropolitan area. Methods: Thirty-one gas station workers at ten gas stations in a metropolitan area were selected as subjects for this study. Test method PV2028 as recommended in the OSHA process was used for sampling and analysis. Results: The personal exposure levels of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, MTBE and gasoline vapor in the gas station workers were $0.0018{\pm}0.0069ppm$, $0.0077{\pm}0.0137ppm$, $0.0002{\pm}0.0008ppm$, $0.0016{\pm}0.0084ppm$, $0.2619{\pm}0.3340ppm$, and $1.4940{\pm}1.7984ppm$, respectively. After adjustment for refueling frequency and volume, personal exposure levelswere higher in the gas stations where gasoline vapor recovery systems(Stage II) were not installed, but the results were not statistically significant. Gasoline vapor concentrations showed a positive correlation to the level of MTBE, a gasoline additive. Conclusions: Vapor recovery systems(Stage II) were effective not only in reducing emissions of air pollutants, but also in reducing exposure to hazardous substances among gas station workers. In addition, acorrelation between gasoline vapors and MTBE concentration was confirmed.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2018

Emission characteristics of regulated pollutants (CO, NOx, HC and PM) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from diesel heavy duty trucks equipped with EGR+pDPF and SCR for Euro 5 emission standards were investigated using a chassis dynamometer. In the case of regulated pollutants, diesel heavy duty trucks with EGR+pDPF emitted 79% less CO than those with SCR. Also, those with the SCR emitted 36% less NOx than those with the EGR+pDPF. The results of VOCs have show that alkanes emissions for heavy duty trucks with the EGR+pDPF and the SCR have been higher than alkenes, cycloalkanes and aromatics. In the case of individual VOCs, the highest of propene emissions for 11.3~16.1% occupied. For aromatics group, benzene emissions are the highest percentage for 4.4~15.5%. In the future, the results of present study will provide basic data to set up HAPs emissions inventory for mobile source.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1123-1134
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• 2009

This study was designed to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the pollutant compositions, which were emitted from three types of mosquito repellents(MRs)(mat-, liquid-vaporized, and coil-type) by utilizing a 50-L environmental chamber. A qualitative analysis revealed that 42 compounds were detected on the gas chromatography/mass spectrometer system, and that the detection frequency depended upon chemical types. Nine of the 42 compounds exhibited a detection frequency of 100%. Four aromatic compounds(benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylene) were detected in all test MRs. The concentration equilibriums in the environmental chamber were achieved within 180 min after sample introduction. The coil-type MR represented higher chamber concentrations as compared with the mat- or liquid-vaporized-type MR, with respect to the target compounds except for naphthalene. In particular, the chamber concentrations of ethyl benzene, associated with the use of coil-type MR, were between 0.9 and $65\;mg\;m^{-3}$ whereas those of mat- and liquid-vaporized-type MRs we~e between 0.5 and $2.0\;mg\;m^{-3}$and 0.3 and $1.4\;mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. However, naphthalene concentrations in the chamber, where a liquid-vaporized-type MR was placed, were measured as between 17.8 and $56.3\;mg\;m^{-3}$, but not detected in the chamber, where a mat- or coil-type MR was placed. The empirical model fitted well with the time-series concentrations in the environmental chamber(in most cases, determination coefficient, $R^2$ ≿ 0.9), thereby suggesting that the model was suitable for testing emissions. In regards to the target compounds except for benzene, although they were emitted from the MRs, health risk from individual exposure to them were estimated not to be significant when comparing exposure levels with no observed adverse exposure levels or lowest observed adverse exposure levels of corresponding compounds. However, it was concluded that the use of MRs could be an important indoor source as regards benzene.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 2018

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) were well known as ozone precursors from photochemical reactions and contribute to the formation of photochemical smog which pose health hazards. Also, some of these compounds directly affect the human health due to their toxicity such as benzene. In this study, BTEX ratios and correlation of $C_2$-benzenes (xylenes, ethylbenzene) in vehicle exhaust from recreational vehicle (RV) and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) were characterized using a chassis dynamometer. VOCs were collected by tedlar bag and a GC/MS system was used for their quantification. Among all of the BTEX, toluene has the highest concentration(more than 30% in composition of BTEX). The average ratio of toluene to benzene emissions (T/B ratio=2.2) was found in vehicle exhaust. The average m,p-xylene/ethylbenzene and m,p-xylene/o-xylene ratios were 1.0 and 3.0 respectively. As a result, it showed a good correlation between the $C_2$-benzenes ($R^2=0.98{\sim}0.99$). In the future, it can be used as a marker for effect evaluation to atmospheric environment by vehicle exhaust.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.759-771
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• 2004

This study analyzed concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced from incineration of plastic wastes at $600^{\circ}C$. The plastic wastes used in this study included polyethyleneterephthlate (PETE), high density polyethylene (HOPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LOPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and other. Plastic wastes were heated from room temperature upto $600^{\circ}C$ providing the compressed air inside of a small-scale electric furnace for 90 minutes and then they were oxidized (incinerated) for 60 minutes at $600^{\circ}C$ maintaining the same air supply. VOCs emitted from the incineration process were sampled using an air sampling pump and Tedlar air bags for 150 minutes and then the components and concentrations of the VOCs were analyzed by a GC-MS. The most prominent chemical structure of the VOCs obtained from the incineration process of the HOPE, LOPE and PP, which include ethylene groups in their main chains, was identified as aliphatic hydrocarbons such as 1-hexene. However, aromatics such as benzene were major chemical structure from the incineration of PETE, PVC and PS which include benzene rings in their main chains. This study estimated the total VOC production from the incineration of the plastic wastes based on the real plastic waste production and the emission factors. 64% and 27% of the total VOC emissions consisted of aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatics, respectively, which have double bonds within their molecular structure and thus a high ground level ozone formation potential.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2008

Since mobile source is a major source of VOCs, quantifying emissions from motor vehicles is an important factor to control VOCs in atmosphere. In this study, in order to evaluate tailpipe VOCs emissions from motor vehicles, mass emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds from 45 vehicles were determined. Measurements were made on a chassis dynamometer using CVS-75 mode and speed specific drive modes. Target VOCs are 53 compounds determined as the volatile ozone precursors. The individual VOCs composition of vehicle emission and emission rates were also determined. In case of gasoline vehicles, VOCs emission from over 80,000 km vehicles were about 46% larger than less 80,000 km vehicles. The difference in benzene and toluene according to driving mileage was 44% and 26% respectively. The composition of VOCs were different by fuel type. The order of VOCs composition was paraffins>aromatics>olefins in gasoline vehicle emissions, paraffins>olefins>aromatics in light duty diesel vehicle emissions. The VOCs emissions were decreased as vehicle speed increasing. These results will be used to calculate total VOCs emissions from automobiles in the future.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2017

In flight particulate matter particularly emissions generated by incomplete combustion processes has become a subject of global concern due to the health problems and environmental impacts associated with them. This has compelled most countries to set standards for coarse and fine particles due to their conspicuous impacts on environment and public health. This contribution therefore explores forest fire emissions and how its particulates affects air quality, damage to vegetation, water bodies and biological functions as architects for lung diseases and other degenerative illnesses such as oxidative stress and aging. Soot was collected from simulated forest fire using a clean glass surface and carefully transferred into amber vials for analysis. Volatile components of soot were collected over 10 mL dichloromethane and analyzed using a QTOF Premier-Water Corp Liquid Chromatography hyphenated to a mass selective detector (MSD), and Gas Chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). To characterize the size and surface morphology of soot, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used. The characterization of molecular volatiles from simulated forest fire emissions revealed long chain compounds including octadec-9-enoic acid, octadec-6-enoic acid, cyclotetracosane, cyclotetradecane, and a few aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and naphthalene). Special classes of organics (dibenzo-p-dioxin and 2H-benzopyran) were also detected as minor products. Dibenzo-p-dioxin for instance in chlorinated form is one of the deadliest environmental organic toxins. The average particulate size of emissions using SEM was found to be $11.51{\pm}4.91{\mu}m$. This study has shown that most of the emissions from simulated forest fire fall within $PM_{10}$ particulate size. The molecular by-products of forest fire and particulate emissions may be toxic to both human and natural ecosystems, and are possible precursors for various respiratory ailments and cancers. The burning of a forest by natural disasters or man-made fires results in the destruction of natural habitats and serious air pollution.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the indoor air quality by season. The surveyed houses were 48 new apartment complex in 2012 across the country. The houses were carried out the bakeout before the test. The measuring method was "Indoor air quality testing standards process" and the measured items were formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene average emissions. All the items were more emitting during the summer. From June to September the average concentration of formaldehyde emission was higher than other seasons. The average emissions of benzene concentrations in all seasons were released in small quantities. Average emissions of toluene and ethylbenzene concentration from April to August showed slightly higher emissions. Xylene and styrene concentration showed the highest emissions at April, but without large deviations throughout the year.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2015

The gaseous and particulate emissions from agricultural crop residues burning were investigated. The test residues included white soybean stem, pepper stem, apple branch, peach branch, pear branch, grape branch, sesame stem, perilla stem, and barley stem. Particulate emissions were dominated by fine particles (< $0.1{\mu}m$ in size). The highest $PM_{2.5}$ Emission factors were from barley stems (35.2 g/kg), and the lowest from pepper stems (7.9 g/kg). Emission factors for CO, NO, and VOCs were 146~305 g/kg, 4.94~15.02 g/kg, 27.4~353.3 g/kg, respectively. Benzene played an important role in VOCs emissions from biomass burning.